Re: Google announces privacy changes, no opt out for users

[Aaron Hockett <AHockett () WARNERPACIFIC EDU>]

Having reading the Post article and numerous other tech articles on the
privacy issue, I believe Google has made the unfortunate misstep of
setting itself up one of the most prolific data breaches that will cause
a ripple effect in the IT and consumer data privacy laws.

What I also find even more ironic is that this is a result of poor
company earnings.  So in order to exploit us even more and to protect
their revenue, they need "more data" in a single bucket.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm stocking up on tin-foil
hats. :)

-Aaron


-----Original Message-----
From: The EDUCAUSE Security Constituent Group Listserv
[mailto:SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU] On Behalf Of Solem, Vik P.
Sent: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 8:30 AM
To: SECURITY () LISTSERV EDUCAUSE EDU
Subject: Re: [SECURITY] Google announces privacy changes, no opt out for
users

Thanks Nicole.  I had not read it before now.

My thoughts:  I don't like it.  I also don't like the potential loss of
privacy in the USA PATRIOT act and the potential loss of freedom in the
NDAA.  I see these as symptoms of a society that continues to allow
personal privacy and freedom to be eroded, mostly because we're simply
not paying attention.  <rant>I've been told that I should just "get over
it", which is probably the easiest course of action.  Maybe I'll feel
better after my 4 hours (on average) of TV today. ;^)  (Wow - I guess I
woke up on the wrong side if cynicism this morning)</rave>

-Vik


Vik Solem, CISSP, Sr. Applications Risk Consultant Tufts University,
Information Security, vik.solem () tufts edu / 617-627-4326 InfoSec Team:
information_security () tufts edu / 617-627-6070








On 2012-01-25 10:44 , "Nicole Kegler" <nk278 () GEORGETOWN EDU> wrote:

> Has anyone read this article about the privacy changes being 
> implemented by Google starting March 1? What are your thoughts?
>
> http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/google-tracks-consumers-
> acr
> oss-products-users-cant-opt-out/2012/01/24/gIQArgJHOQ_story.html?hpid=z
> 3
>
> --
> Nicole Kegler
> Communications Manager
> University Information Security Office
> Georgetown University
> 202-687-5784
>
> Protecting data is a shared responsibility!
>
> INSTALL antivirus and antispyware software.
> USE strong passwords.
> KNOW who you are dealing with online.
> STORE confidential and sensitive data on encrypted devices only.
> SHUT DOWN computers or disconnect from the Internet when it's not in
use.